Editorial: Work with North Dakota tribe to address flaring of gas

The tribe has indicated a willingness to work cooperatively with the North Dakota Industrial Commission to reduce flaring, including requiring gas- capture plans before wells are drilled on reservation lands. That was recommended by the commission and industry task force assigned to reduce flaring levels in the years ahead. Other efforts include accelerating the pipeline approval process by processing right-of-way applications out of Denver, to catch up on the growing backlog of applications.

Still other initiatives include possible construction of a natural gas processing plant on the reservation and a potential power plant. Effective communication between industry and tribal officials is necessary if viable solutions to reduce flaring on reservation lands are to be realized. The tribal task force on flaring believes levels can be reduced by half within five years, but it will take a collaborative approach.

In the interim, a review of the 2008 agreement between tribal and state officials is in order. Although it would be difficult to argue that mineral royalties should not be awarded to those holding those rights, existing agreements must be honored. Evaluating language within the agreement, which both parties entered into, and its intent is clearly necessary.

The objective is clear — reduce flaring levels in the oil patch without changing rules mid-stream. Contracts and agreements in place should be respected. Establishing processes where infrastructure build-out can occur quickly and efficiently needs to be a goal shared by industry and tribal officials alike.